Lafayette Mecham
Lafayette Mecham was born on September 20, 1829, in Hopkinton, New York. He became a prominent citizen of San Bernardino, California. He was the son of Stephen and Dolly Ransom Mecham, whose families originated from the Champlain Valley of Vermont. Stephen Mecham was an Adirondack Mountain trapper and hunter before immigrating to Illinois in 1838. The family relocated to Springfield, Illinois, and became well-known to Abraham Lincoln.Lafayette came to California during the 1849 Gold Rush. After wintering in Utah, he migrated south to San Bernardino and reached there in 1852. His adventurous soul led him to San Francisco in 1853, and after that, he traveled to Los Angeles and Salt Lake. In 1854, he ultimately settled in Los Angeles and purchased land that is presently part of downtown Los Angeles. In 1863, he settled in San Bernardino, and it was here that he finally made his abode.
In the same year, Lafayette won a government contract to carry mail from San Bernardino to Los Angeles, providing the first daily mail service instead of the weekly one. He also planted the first pepper tree in San Bernardino, and a stump remains standing in the Fourth Street schoolhouse as a testament to his contribution.
Lafayette was a prosperous rancher with a considerable tract near San Bernardino and one of the county's first beekeepers, operating an apiary of more than 200 stands.
He married Leticia Yager in Utah in 1852. Nine children, viz. William Edwin, George F., Charles L., Ransom M., Stephen G., Isaac, Alida, and Denver, blessed them. Eight of the children were born in California, and most of them lived in San Bernardino.
Lafayette Mecham contributed to the development of San Bernardino and the region through pioneering efforts, community work, and business.
